President Pratibha Patil, who today became the first woman head of state to fly in a frontline, multi-role fighter jet aircraft, described her Sukhoi-30 flight as a "wonderful and unique experience."
"The flight was a wonderful and unique experience," the 74-year old president said during her post-flight interaction with the media.
"I am reassured that our defence sources and IAF pilots have the skill and expertise to protect our borders," Patil said soon after the 30-minute sortie in the Russian made jet.
Patil is the second President to fly in a fighter aircraft after A P J Abdul Kalam who was flown at speeds a few notches below supersonic levels for 30 minutes without sharp manoeuvres also from the Lohegaon airbase here.
"Today I'm proud, as every Indian should be of the ability, talent, capacity and spirit of sacrifice of our defence forces," the Supreme Commander of Armed forces said.
Earlier, the president shook hands with pilot Wing commander S Sajan of the two-seater Sukhoi who has over 3200 hours of flying experience.
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